Prez Kovind offers prayers at Somnath Temple in Gujarat

President Ram Nath Kovind Monday visited the Somnath Temple in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district and participated in 'maha aarti' and 'maha tatkal' puja, officials said.

This is Kovind's first visit to the temple since becoming president, they added.

He was accompanied by his wife and daughter as well as Gujarat Tourism Minister Ganpatsinh Vasava and chief coordinator of the temple trust Dr Y Bhatt, a temple trust press release said.

He also paid tributes at the statue of Sardar Patel situated in the premises of the temple, officials said.